CHACR Digest #11

CHACRDIGEST

JULY, 2022

#11

Summer selection: Chapter two

ABOUT THIS DIGEST For our second Summer selection we take a look at the more interactive side of international affairs with a list of podcasts and educational resources that you can listen to and view while relaxing in the rays.

PODCASTS The Russia Guy: Kevin Rothrock, a well-known Russia expert and English-language editor of the Kremlin critical news outlet Meduza (a role that has contributed to Rothrock being banned from Russia), conducts long-form interviews with journalists, academics and analysts focusing on all things Russia. The most recent episode with Emily Holland from the Russia Maritime Studies Institute at the US Naval War College about the implications of boycotting Russian oil and gas is an excellent example of how The Russia Guy adds nuance and depth to Russia-related debates.

Arms Control Wonk: Feeling geeky? Well in Arms Control Wonk some of the best minds in policy and scientific understanding of arms control come together to bring you a series of fascinating technology assessments, including the latest in ballistic missile developments, the theories underpinning deterrence and their application to today, and the most up to date thinking in nuclear security.

War in Space: Space is fast becoming one of the most researched new frontiers of conflict. In this novel and enlightening series, research analyst Juliana Seuss brings on a host of leading thinkers from the worlds of government, business, and policy to explain the latest in thinking about space. The podcast explains how space is conceptualised by leading thinkers in conflict, explores the latest technologies and how they are changing space as a theatre of war, and allows the layperson to understand some of the concepts that have driven space flight over the decades, such as how missile technology and powered flight share much in common.

The views expressed in this Digest are not those of the British Army or UK Government.

This document cannot be reproduced or used in part or whole without the permission of the CHACR. www.chacr.org.uk

Popular Front: Presented by Jake Hanrahan, Popular Front focuses on ‘the niche details of modern warfare and under-reported conflict.’ In each episode, Hanrahan, who often travels to conflict zones himself, talks to fellow journalists and analysts to discuss aspects of wars and conflicts that often do not make it into the mainstream media. Recent episodes include discussions of clashes in Ecuador, rising tensions in Bosnia, and the military coup in Burkina Faso. The podcast’s entire archive is worth exploring, as is Hanrahan’s website, which features articles and documentaries as well as other content.

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This Means War: Dr Peter Roberts, former host of the well-known podcast The Western Way of War, now presents a new series. With the war in Ukraine raging Peter focuses his conversations around contemporary warfare and what it means for the future of fighting. Each episode looks at how wars are being fought around the world today, whether (and why) this is important, and what it all might mean for militaries and national security in the coming decades. Peter’s interviews include a great conversation with Dr Jack Watling who has just returned from Eastern Ukraine and provides the most up to date analysis of the conflict available anywhere.

The Red Line: The tagline of The Red Line podcast is ‘three experts, one story.’ In fortnightly released episodes, three international experts are interviewed about one topical geopolitical issue, providing historical context and highlighting the most important factors to consider. The style means that even episodes recorded months or years ago can still be valuable resources to learn about a subject.

Over the last few months, The Red Line has covered Chinese influence in South America, the geopolitics of Suriname, and why military coups appear to be on the rise in Africa.

The Horn: A production from the International Crisis Group, The Horn dives into the complex region of the Horn of Africa, discussing issues such as the political turmoil in Sudan, the civil war in Ethiopia, and the evolving instability in Somalia – and how these and other matters fit together. Discussions are in-depth and offer valuable perspective for anyone interested in security in East Africa.

Mind the Gulf: As the Iranian nuclear programme continues to expand and negotiations to revive the Iran nuclear deal falter, the Mind the Gulf series from the Royal United Services Institute explores the linkages between the Iranian nuclear programme and wider regional security in the Middle East, focusing in particular on the perspectives of countries in the region. Episodes tend to combine overviews of historical and political background with expert interviews, often highlighting voices from the region rarely heard in the Western media. The news sections at the beginning of each episode may be out of date, but the rest remains relevant.

On Israel with Ben Caspit: Ben Caspit is an award-winning Israeli journalist who has access to some of the leading politicians, thinkers and military leaders across Israel and the wider Middle East. As Israel lurches toward yet another election, Caspit’s analysis is vital to understanding the ups and downs of Israel’s turbulent politics. This is a sober and well researched podcast that is vital for those trying to understand the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Mediterranean security and Israel’s geostrategic world-view.

The Rest is Politics: Although UK politics is replete with podcasts, ranging from left to right and everything in between, The Rest is Politics is one of the more balanced and entertaining shows you’re likely to encounter. The series pits infamous Labour master of spin Alastair Campbell against former Tory Minister Rory Stewart, the result is a wide ranging series of discussions from two different sides of the political spectrum that stretch back to Labour’s 1997 heyday, and right up until recent times where Britain’s political system has once again been shaken by change and instability.

VIDEOS Assessing Russia’s War in Ukraine: Following the Russian military’s reorientation of its offensive to Ukraine’s east, CSIS International Security Program hosted an hour-long discussion on Russia’s military efforts, Ukraine’s military resistance, and opportunities for the United States and its allies and partners to assist Ukraine. In an excellent and wide-ranging discussion, Seth G. Jones hosts renowned scholar Eliot A. Cohen, Emily Harding, and the Honorable Michael Vickers, former Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and CIA operations officer.

Why foreign talent is critical to national security: In the face of unprecedented competition from China, more than four dozen former national security leaders wrote to Congress in the spring urging political action to safeguard America’s competitive edge. In this conversation with former Commander of the U.S. Central Command General (Ret.) Joseph Votel and former Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense Christine Fox, the Brookings Institute holds a critical eye to the US military’s approach to cultivating STEM talent and the highest skills from immigrants to the United States.

Truth Decay | On Seeking Truth with Neil Halloran: Why can’t we seem to agree on the facts? Are we consuming more information but understanding less? If we are more connected than ever before, how did we become so divided? Over the last two decades, the role of facts and analysis in public life has been declining. It’s a phenomenon called “truth decay,” and it’s led to alienation, a lack of civil discourse, political paralysis, and general uncertainty around what’s true and what isn’t. In this video historian Neil Halloran explores the concept of truth in the context of the world’s most serious national security challenges, including the much-questioned concept of “Nuclear Winter”.

Picture: Sara Kurfess/unsplash

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